The Best Travel Cards for NZ
New Zealand is one of the most visited countries by Australians and is one of our closest neighbours. It is full of pristine and breathtaking wilderness, including walks, snow-covered mountains, and majestic fjords.
In New Zealand, you are likely to pay for accommodation, food, transport, and entertainment, as well as withdraw cash from ATMs with your card.
We have analysed 6 of the best overseas travel cards for Australians to take to New Zealand in 2024 and summarised their best points.
Best 6 Travel Money Cards for New Zealand in 2024:
- Wise Travel Card for the best exchange rates
- Revolut Travel Currency Card for low fees
- Travelex Money Card - Best all rounder
- Australia Post Travel Platinum for best international prepaid debit card
- Westpac Travel Money Card for best prepaid card from major bank
- Macquarie Transaction Debit Card best debit card for use in Australia too
Wise Travel Card - Best Exchange Rates
- 40+ currencies available
- Best exchange rates globally
- One of the lowest conversion fee on the market
- No international transaction fees
- No annual or monthly fees
- Extremely low costs to send money overseas
Fees and limits
- Cross currency conversion fees are between 0.24–3.69%. AUD to USD, EUR or GBP was 0.42%, which is one of the lowest on the market
- Free cash withdrawals up to $350 every 30 days. However after that, Wise Card charge a fixed fee of $1.50 per transaction + 1.75%
- Daily ATM withdrawal is $2,700
- Issue up to 3 virtual cards for temporary usage
- It takes between 7 to 14 business days to receive your card
- Can be used wherever MasterCard is accepted
Using the Wise card in New Zealand
You can use the Wise card all across New Zealand. You can convert any currency into NZ Dollars and preload the card. Alternatively if you don't have a NZD balance on the card, when you use it, the card will convert the currency which is loaded, each time you use it.
The Wise Card works just as well in Auckland or Wellington as it does in Australia, the UK or the US.
Revolut - Low Fees
- 30+ currencies available
- One of the best exchange rates globally
- No international transaction fees
- No annual or monthly fees for standard membership
- No initial card fee
- Instant access to a range of cryptocurrencies
Fees and limits
- No fee ATM withdrawals up to A$350, or 5 ATM withdrawals, whichever comes first, per rolling 30 day period and 2% of withdrawal amount (minimum charge of A$1.50) after that
- Exchanging currency on the weekend can incur a 1% mark-up fee
- Fees on international money transfers were introduced in April 2021.
- Can be used wherever Visa is accepted
Using the Revolut in Europe
The Revolut Travel Card is one of the best prepaid travel cards for NZ. However if you exchange currency on the weekend you can incur a one-percent mark-up fee. In addition they have introduced fees for international transfers.
The app is easy to use and the fees on the standard card are low, provided you don't use the ATM too much.
Travelex Money Card - Best Support
Key Features
- Unlimited free ATM withdrawals
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance
- Initial and replacement card are free
- No international transaction fees
- Lock in up to 10 currencies
Fees and limits
- Minimum load of $100 and maximum load of $100,000
- Can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted
- Fees include a $10 closure fee, $5 for an additional card and $4 inactivity monthly fee.
- While Travelex don't charge ATM fees, some ATM operators may charge their own fees.
- Currencies that can be loaded are AU$, US$, EU€, GB£, NZ$, TH฿, CA$, HK$, JP¥, SG$
- If your card is lost or stolen you can access cash in your account through Moneygram or Western Union agents, with no charge
- Boingo hotspots offer free wifi and you can look at their number of free hotspots per country on this map
Using the Travelex Money Card in NZ
The Travelex Money Card is a good all-rounder no matter if you are heading to the vibrant cities of Auckland or Wellington, or exploring the stunning landscapes of the South Island.
You can use it to take money out of the ATM, for merchant purchases like restaurants and even for online shopping in foreign currency. While the exchange rates aren't as good as Wise or Revolut abroad, the support network if the card is lost or stolen is very good. This perk can be especially handy while experiencing the majestic sights of New Zealand.
Macquarie Transaction Debit Card
Key Features
- No ATM fees overseas or ATM fees in Australia
- No monthly fees or initial card fees
- No foreign transaction fee
- Contactless limit with no PIN up to $200 per transaction
- Joint accounts available
Fees and limits
- Simple and easy to work out costs for account
- Can be used in Australia as an EFTPOS card
- Instant transfers can be made using PayID and OSKO
- Works with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Fitbit and Garmin
- Available to 14 year olds and older
- Easily lock and unlock your card in the app if your card is lost or stolen
- Multi award winning account including Mozo Best Everyday Savings for 2021
- $2,000 daily limit for ATM withdrawals
- Exchange rates are MasterCard exchange rates, which are normally 2% - 6%+ the market rate
- Get discounts of up to 10% on eGift cards to use at over 50 leading retailers
- Added security with a mobile app that sends actionable push notifications for you to approve or deny online transactions and account activity
- Tools for spending each time you make a transaction, it’s automatically categorised into groups such as groceries, travel, leisure or technology. In addition you can see how you're spending at a glance and over time.
- Can be used wherever MasterCard is accepted
If you want a debit card you can use in Australia or in Europe without paying fees at ATMs then the Macquarie Bank Transaction debit card is a good fit. It has no foreign transaction fees, no ATM fees in Australia or overseas and no monthly fees. In addition the only fee you will pay is the currency conversion charged by Mastercard.
The debit card works in Australia and the contactless limit is $200, which is super handy. It also works with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Fitbit and Garmin. Finally it has tools to help you track your spending, can be given to teenagers over 14 and is easy to lock or unlock your card through the app if lost or stolen.
Westpac Travel Money Card
Key Features
- No foreign transaction fees
- No fees on initial card, load, unload or inactivity fees
- Competitive exchange rates
- Free additional card
- Flight delay pass
Fees and limits
- 11 Currencies can be loaded are JPY, AUD, USD, EUR, GBP, NZD, CAD, HKD, SGD, THB & ZAR
- Lock in exchange rates before you leave
- No cross currency transactions fees
- No ATM fee at 50,000 Global Alliance ATMs worldwide
- $2,000 maximum limit on ATM withdrawals overseas within 24 hours
- $50,000 maximum limit on currencies loaded on to travel card
- $3 roughly for ATMs that are not within the Non Westpac Global Alliance
- If you run out of one currency on the card, you can pay with other currencies without the expensive cross currency transaction fee
- No foreign transaction fees, initial card, load, unload or inactivity fees
- Can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted
- According to the Westpac it can take up to 8 business days to receive the travel card
- Secure from fraudulent transactions with Mastercard Zero Liability protection
- 2 cards per account for free
The Westpac Travel Card is a no frills handy travel card with very low fees, no foreign transaction fees, access to some free ATMs worldwide and competitive exchange rates, especially on JPY, USD, EUR, GBP and CAD.
In addition it has the South African Rand (ZAR) which is not common in visa prepaid travel cards. Finally it has access to a flight delay pass in case your flights are delayed and you need to access airport lounges.
Australia Post Travel Money Card - Platinum Mastercard
Key Features
- Initial card and replacement cards are free
- No fee on reloads via bank transfers
- No monthly or inactivity fees
- Increased protection with Mastercard Zero Liability
- Access to cash from your account through the Global Emergency Assistance, if your card is lost or stolen
Fees and limits
- Currencies that can be loaded are NZD, AUD, USD, EUR, GBP, THB, CAD, HKD, JPY, SGD and AED
- 1.1% Admin fee for instore loads, including initial load
- $5 fee for reloads via debit bank card
- $10 closure fee
- 2.95% on withdrawals from Australian ATMs is expensive
- $3.50 on withdrawals from overseas ATM is expensive
- $3.99 + 5.95% fee on cross currency transactions
- Can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted
- Min load of $100 and max of $100,000
If your card is lost or stolen you can access cash that is in your account through MoneyGram or Western Union agents, with no charge
Boingo hotspots offer the free wifi and you can look at their number of free hotspots per country on this map
The Australia Post Travel Platinum travel money card is the best of the prepaid cards in New Zealand as its exchange rate for New Zealand dollars is best when compared to Travelex, Commonwealth bank, HSBC or Citibank travel cards.
To avoid the fees on this card we advise to deposit a small amount instore for your initial load and deposit the rest by bank transfer to avoid fees. In addition we recommend this card for tap, swipe or insert card transactions only like paying for hotels, restaurants and entertainment. Do not use it for ATM withdrawals as the fees are expensive and avoidable if you use a different card like the Macquarie Transaction card.
Editorial note: We may not cover every product in this category. For more information, see our Editorial guidelines.
Why Choose a Travel Money Card for New Zealand?
Travel money cards are ideal for managing your finances while abroad due to:
- Convenience: They simplify transactions and eliminate the need to carry large amounts of cash.
- Security: These cards come with security features like PIN protection and the option to freeze the card if it’s lost or stolen.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Avoid hefty fees on international transactions and get competitive exchange rates.
Selecting the Best Travel Money Card
Consider these factors when choosing your travel money card for New Zealand:
- Exchange Rates: Ensure the card offers favorable exchange rates for NZD.
- Low Fees: Look for cards with minimal fees for transactions and ATM withdrawals.
- Reloading Ease: Choose a card that can be easily topped up from anywhere.
- Wide Acceptance: Make sure the card is accepted at a majority of locations throughout New Zealand.
- Efficient Customer Support: Availability of prompt customer service can be crucial in handling any issues during your travels.
Tips for Using Your Travel Money Card in New Zealand
Maximize the benefits of your travel money card with these tips:
- Notify Your Bank: Let your bank know about your travel dates to avoid security holds on your card.
- Use ATMs Wisely: Withdraw from ATMs within banks or well-lit areas to ensure safety and potentially lower fees.
- Carry a Backup: Always have a backup card or some cash in local currency as a contingency.
- Check for Fees: Be aware of any hidden fees, especially for currency conversion. Opt to be charged in the local currency for better rates.
FAQs
The best travel money cards for New Zealand are the Wise Multi Currency card, the Australia Post Travel Platinum card, the Bankwest Breeze Platinum credit card, Westpac travel money card and the Macquarie Transaction debit card as they provide good exchange rates for the New Zealand dollar have low fees associated with the cards and no international transaction fees.
For New Zealand the best form of travel money is a mix of card and cash. The cards can include credit, debit and prepaid depending on what suits you best. The best cards have no foreign transaction fees, saving you 3% straight away.
We recommend loading up your debit card or prepaid card before you leave so you are spending your money in New Zealand. Take a credit card for extra spending and a debit card like Macquarie Transaction or ING Orange to withdraw New Zealand dollars with no fees.
The advantages of a travel money card include increased security as no one can access your cash without your 4 digit pin code. In addition you can report your card stolen or lost quickly to stop unauthorised spending. Finally, it’s less bulky than carrying large amounts of cash in your wallet.
Yes, as it will save you lots of money. If you only take your Australian debit card to New Zealand, up to 15% can be eaten up by fees including overseas ATM withdrawals, international transaction fees and poor currency exchange rates. This includes ANZ cards, they do not charge if you withdraw from an ANZ ATM but their currency exchange rates are some of the most expensive in the market for New Zealand currency.
Yes and we recommend the best Australian debit cards to take to New Zealand which include Macquarie, Up Bank, ING, HSBC and Citibank. However if your Australian debit card charges for overseas ATM withdrawals fees and international transaction fees you can expect to add 10% to the cost of your trip to New Zealand.
Yes it does. ANZ does not charge for ATM withdrawals but they offer very poor exchange rates for New Zealand dollars and an overseas transaction fee of 3%. If you use your ANZ debit card in New Zealand expect to pay an additional 10% for your spending.
No you can not use Australian dollars in New Zealand. Best to take some New Zealand Dollars in cash, a debit or prepaid card and a credit card instead of Australian dollars.
Yes credit cards are widely accepted in New Zealand, the most popular being Mastercard and Visa. American Express is accepted but in far fewer places. They work in a similar way to Australia where you need your 4 digit pin to authorise the purchase.
As a general rule, working out how much spending money will you need in New Zealand depends on where you go and your type of travel. If you travel on a budget it can cost $60 – $100 a day. If you travel in the middle range throughout New Zealand it can cost $100 – $300 per day. Finally if you travel with luxury throughout New Zealand it can cost anywhere from $400 per day.
